Parker County Commissioners Court Regular Meeting – January 12, 2026

The Parker County Commissioners Court convened in regular session on Monday, January 12, 2026, at 9:02 a.m. in the Commissioners Courtroom at the Parker County Courthouse. All commissioners were present: Judge Pat Deen, Commissioners George Conley (Precinct 1), Tom Holt (Precinct 2), Craig Walden (Precinct 3), and Larry Hale (Precinct 4), along with County Attorney John Forrest and Deputy County Clerk Terri Moore. The meeting recessed at 10:25 a.m., entered closed session at 10:58 a.m., reconvened in open session at 11:59 a.m., and adjourned at 12:32 p.m.

Consent Calendar

• Auditor items: Certification of revenues, line item budget adjustments, payment of routine bills, and audit reports were submitted and approved.
• Treasurer items: Report on fund balances, payroll/insurance/retirement approval, and monthly investment report were submitted and approved.
• County Judge items: Minutes acceptance and monthly reports were submitted and approved. Personnel changes were submitted (no further detail).
• Purchasing items (4D2–4D4): Authorization to advertise RFPs for Veteran Affairs Electronic Claims Submission Software (PC26-24) and Corrugated Steel Culvert Pipe (PC26-25) were approved. Destruction of a bulletproof plate carrier vest (asset #20181) was approved.
• Aggregate Road Materials (PC26-14): Approved advertising for hot/cold mix bid and authorized the County Judge to sign an Interlocal Agreement with Sommerville County.

The consent calendar was approved by a motion from Commissioner Walden, seconded by Commissioner Holt, and carried.

Presentations & Recognitions

• Greyhounds Day Proclamation: January 12, 2026, was proclaimed “Greyhounds Day” in Parker County honoring the Peaster High School football team’s historic 2025 season. Team captains Rhett Kelly, Luke Gray, Cade McCullough, and Mark Tullis spoke; the item was notification only, no vote.
• Regional Transportation Council Update: Judge Deen provided a discussion/update on the RTC meeting; no action was taken.

Discussion Items

• Potential Data Centers in Parker County: Commissioner Walden and several residents (Chris Strader, Amanda Garner – Precinct 4 Chair, Doug Shaw – Upper Trinity GCD Director, Tom Hayes, Nancy Faust) spoke. The court discussed the matter but took no action.
• Budget Committee Discussion: Commissioner Hale and Commissioner Walden presented information regarding proceeding with a budget committee; no action was taken.
• Transportation Project Updates:
  • Bond Project Reporting (Freese & Nichols): Morgan McIlwain and Dustin Blaylock presented monthly updates; no action taken.
  • WN Woody Change Order #2 (PRK24211): Approved a change order of $56,319.64 to level up the project.
  • Kelly Road Change Order #1 (PRK24209): Approved a change order reducing the contract price by $40,283.25.
  • Veal Station Road Construction Contract: Approved the base bid plus alternate bid totaling $273,327.50, and construction phase services (management, inspection, material testing) in the amount of $85,953.
• Justice of the Peace Precinct 3 Internship Program: Authorized participation in the Career and Technology Education Internship Program with Weatherford ISD; approved by motion.
• City of Aledo Patrol Contract Amendment: Considered and approved a contract amendment with the Sheriff’s Office, presented by Chief Deputy Mark Arnett.
• Annexation Requests:
  • City of Reno – Newsome Mound Road/Veal Station: Motion to reject the annexation request carried.
  • City of Reno – Newsome Mound Road/Midway Road: Motion to reject the annexation request carried.
  • City of Weatherford – The Enclave at Chisholm Trail: Motion to approve the annexation request carried.

Executive Session (Closed & Open Actions)

The court convened in closed session under Texas Government Code Sections 551.071, 551.072, 551.074, 551.076, and 551.087 to discuss legal matters, real estate, personnel, security, and economic development. Specific topics included:

• Consultation with attorneys on land development regulations and options (no action)
• Update on Parker County Justice Center and Jail (no action)
• Allocation and improvements of county real estate (no action)
• Veteran Administrator Position: Appointed Jim Bransom to replace John Hale as Veterans Administrator effective February 1, 2026, at the current salary. Motion carried.
• County Website Security Upgrade and Expansion: Approved forming a committee to oversee the website, focusing on transparency and ease of use, in compliance with law. Motion carried.
• Beall Dean Ranch Development Economic Incentives: Discussed proposed commercial and financial benefits; no action taken.

Plats and Subdivision Approvals

• Precinct 2:
  • Waiver for groundwater certification study at Hite Addition (4.727 acres, 1 lot) – no action.
  • Speed reduction on Johnson Bend Road (from 40 mph to 30 mph, .189 miles) – approved after a public hearing with no public comment.
  • Speed reduction on Oak Tree Drive (30 mph to 25 mph, .862 miles) – approved.
  • Speed reduction on Oak Tree Court (30 mph to 25 mph, .299 miles) – approved.
  • Final revision for Bradshaw Road Addition (2.997 acres, 1 lot) – approved.
• Precinct 3:
  • Final revision for Silverado on the Brazos (18 acres, 2 lots) – public hearing held with testimony from Will Woods, Dale McFarland, Yancy Qualls, Peter Dodd, Drew Knolls, and Mark Cunningham; the court disapproved based on an established right presented.
  • Final plat for Hill Addition (4 acres, 2 lots) – approved.
• Precinct 4:
  • Extension or call of maintenance bond at Parker Ridge Subdivision – no action.
  • Notification of final plat applications for Walsh Ranch Quail Valley 7A and 7B (developed by Quail Valley Devco VIIA/VIIB, LLC, in Fort Worth ETJ) – notification only, no action.

Key Outcomes

• Approved consent calendar (unanimous).
• Approved purchasing actions: RFPs for VA software, steel culvert pipe, destruction of vest, and aggregate road materials interlocal agreement.
• Approved transportation change orders: WN Woody (+$56,319.64), Kelly Road (–$40,283.25), and Veal Station Road construction contract ($273,327.50) plus phase services ($85,953).
• Rejected two City of Reno annexation requests; approved City of Weatherford annexation.
• Approved JP Precinct 3 internship program, Aledo patrol contract amendment, and Veteran Administrator appointment (Jim Bransom).
• Formed a committee for county website oversight.
• Denied Silverado on the Brazos final revision.
• Approved three speed reductions and two plats/subdivisions.